Captain Seamus Conneely sent Stanley back to the top of the league with the only goal to see off ten-man Mansfield.
It was a feisty affair at the One Call Stadium with Mal Benning sent off in the 13th minute for a high dangerous challenge on Billy Kee.The game could have gone either way until Conneely's header secured the three points and extended in-form Stanley's unbeaten run to 10 games.
John Coleman was forced into one change with Ben Richards-Everton replacing the ill Janoi Donacien at left back.
Play-off chasing Mansfield started at pace with a Kane Hemmings shot blocked while Lee Angol's strike was turned over the bar by Aaron Chapman.
Stanley grew into the game with Kayden Jackson firing into the side-netting and Scott Brown forcing keeper Conrad Logan into a wonder save.
Mansfield were reduced to 10-men when defender Benning was sent off for his challenge on Kee on the edge of the home team's penalty area.
Sean McConville's resulting free kick was kept out by Logan and the Stags keeper also stopped a Jackson effort as Stanley upped the pressure.
However Mansfield had their chances with Chapman producing a superb save to tip over a Rhys Bennett header while Hayden White chipped an effort over the bar to end a lively goalless first half.
Jimmy Dunne headed straight at Logan as Stanley started the second half on the attack but Hemmings should have given Mansfield the lead on 50 minutes. He got the ball unmarked in the area but sidefooted wide.
Conneely then made Stanley's next chance count on the hour, getting his head to a McConville corner for his second goal of the season – and what could prove to be a pivotal goal.
Mansfield, who had only lost one game at home this season prior to today, then pressed for the equaliser leading to a number of goalmouth scrambles, with some heart-in-the-mouth moments for the large contingent of Stanley fans.
However Jackson could have made it a more comfortable finish for Coleman but, with five minutes to go, his strike was kept out by Logan.
Conneely's goal proved enough and it's another win chalked off with the focus now on Notts County at the Wham Stadium on Easter Monday.